Ontario's chief medical officer of health Dr. David Williams said on Tuesday that the province was now in a "critical week," saying essential businesses staying open must continue to mandate social distancing and put in place measures that can ensure the practice. He also said they are optimistic that with spring on the horizon they could see some "easing off," but with travelers returning to the province in the coming weeks there is still a cause for concern.

Ontario health officials have confirmed 85 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday including two more deaths, bringing the provincial total to 572 active cases.

A woman in her 90s from Durham is Ontario’s seventh confirmed coronavirus-related death.

A woman in her 80s at a Hamilton nursing home marks the eighth person to die from COVID-19.

Ontario health officials said the province has had 50 people hospitalized with the virus, 17 in the ICU and seven on ventilators. Those are cumulative numbers since the beginning of the outbreak in January.

Officials said there has also cumulatively have been 31 infected healthcare workers.

Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, said the jump of 85 cases on Tuesday is “not surprising” due to the fact that there are an estimated one million people returning to the country from March break and long-term vacations.